OVERVIEW: Ecolab Foundation, the philanthropic arm of its corporate namesake, gives to a broad swath of programs and interests, including arts and culture, education, community development, and the environment.

IP TAKE: Ecolab Foundation has a firm commitment to supporting the communities in which it has a corporate presence. The foundation sees supporting performing arts—including music—as an important component of its community involvement.

PROFILE: Ecolab Foundation was established in 1986 by its corporate namesake, a company that describes itself as a “global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services.” The foundation’s overall giving is approaching the $81 million mark, with a focus on “educational, cultural, environmental, and community development programs that are good for business and good for society.”

Ecolab Foundation’s commitment to music falls under its Arts and Culture giving area, so first and foremost, it’s important to understand why the foundation supports this broader arena. As Ecolab Foundation frames the support as a quality-of-life issue for its communities, stating:

Through arts, creativity and talent is nurtured. People learn to tap into the power of their imagination, which is where good ideas come from in life and in business. . . The arts also help further understanding among diverse cultures. And from understanding comes the ability to work together for the benefit of all.

Is your music program a good fit for Ecolab Foundation? Before you ponder any further, first be sure that you’re located in either the St. Paul, Minnesota area (where Ecolab is headquartered) or in one of the corporation’s 17 regional communities located throughout the U.S. (And make sure you’re a 501(c)(3) too.)

When it comes to its support of music in its communities, Ecolab Foundation tends to support companies and their full seasons, rather than backing one-off performances. This flows back to the foundation’s long-term commitment to community, which also explains why it will not give grants to individual musicians or composers either.